Baseball batting trainer

Abstract

A system and a method is provided for improving a baseball player's batting swing. Preferably, the system can be utilized to teach a player to swing with power and with a slight upstroke to increase the chances of getting a powerful line drive hit. The system includes a post upwardly extending from a support base. Preferably, the post is adjustable to increase or decreased in height to match the size of the player utilizing the system. A channel is attached at upper portion of the post and includes a means for providing resistance, such as bristles, that protrude generally upwardly from the channel base. A second similar channel with a resistance means is mounted above and facing the first channel such that there is a gap between the two resistance means. Preferably, the channels are rotatably mounted to the post such that the angle of the path between the resistance means can be adjusted to provide a slight increase in elevation that will result in a slight upswing by the player utilizing the training system. A channel support is utilized to fix the position of the two channels relative to each other. Preferably, the channel support is shaped to guide and direct a player's swing down and through the resistance means of the channels. Preferably the channel support includes a resistance adjustment that can increase or decrease the resistance on a bat passing through the channels.

1. A baseball training apparatus, comprising: a support base; a support post affixed to and extending vertically from said support base; a first channel rotably secured to an upper portion of said post; said first channel comprising a channel base and a resistance means, said resistance means extending above the channel base; a second channel comprising a channel base and a resistance means, said resistance means extending below the channel base; said second channel positioned generally above and opposite from said first channel such that the resistance means of said second channel is proximate to, but spaced apart from, the resistance means of said first channel; and a channel support attached to said first and second channels to fix the position of said channels relative to each other; said channel support defining a batting swing path leading into the resistance means;
 Wherein said resistance means of said first and second channels comprise bristles. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said bristles are removably affixed in said first and second channels. 
     
     
       3. A baseball training apparatus, comprising: a support base; a support post affixed to and extending vertically from said support base; a first channel rotably secured to an upper portion of said post; said first channel comprising a channel base and a resistance means, said resistance means extending above the channel base; a second channel comprising a channel base and a resistance means, said resistance means extending below the channel base; said second channel positioned generally above and opposite from said first channel such that the resistance means of said second channel is proximate to, but spaced apart from, the resistance means of said first channel; and a channel support attached to said first and second channels to fix the position of said channels relative to each other; said channel support defining a batting swing path leading into the resistance means;
 A resistance adjustment for adjusting a distance between the resistance means on said first channel and the resistance means on said second channels, thereby adjusting batting resistance. 
 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said resistance adjustment comprises at least one U-bolt connecting said second channel to said channel support that can be raised or lowered to adjust the distance between the resistance means of said first and second channels. 
     
     
       5. A baseball training apparatus, comprising;
 a support base; 
 an external post extending vertically upward from said support base; said external post comprising a hollow tube; 
 an internal post, said internal post having a bottom portion enclosed within said external post and a top portion extending vertically above said external post; 
 a height adjustment, operably attached to said internal and external posts, for adjustably fixing the position of the internal post relative to the external post; 
 an angle adjustment saddle rotatably attached to the top portion of said internal post; 
 a first channel attached to said angle adjustment saddle, said first channel comprising a channel base and bristles, said bristles extending outwardly from said channel base; 
 a second channel comprising a channel base and bristles, said bristles extending outwardly from said channel base, said second channel being positioned generally above and opposite from said first channel such that distal ends of the bristles of said second channel are proximate to, but spaced apart from, distal ends of the bristles of said first channel; and 
 a channel support attached to said first and second channel to fix the position of said channels relative to each other. 
 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a resistance adjustment for adjusting a distance between the bristles on said first channel and the bristles on said second channel, thereby adjusting batting resistance. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said channel support defines a batting swing path leading into the bristles. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said channel support comprises a metal bar. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a pad, covering at least a portion of said channel support. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said bristles are removably affixed in said first and second channels. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said height adjustment comprises a pin insertable through a hole proximate to a top portion of said external post into one of a series of spaced apart holes in said internal post. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said base further comprises at least one wheel proximate to one end of said base and a handle proximate to an opposite end of said base, thereby allowing said apparatus to be rolled on and off a baseball field. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said resistance adjustment comprises at least one U-bolt connecting said second channel to said channel support that can be raised or lowered to adjust the distance between the bristles of said first and second channels. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said resistance adjustment comprises a pair of U-bolts adjustably securing said second channel to said channel support.